Issue 3 | The USA Issue

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THE USA ISSUE

P. 08

RECOMMEND S

The new Larsson & Jennings Saxon watch features in our brand new section Rabona Recommends.

P. 10—15

PREDATORS

USA goalkeeper Tim Howard talks Obama, Twitter hashtags and his decision to take time out from the national team.

P. 26—36

Tim Howard

Which is your favourite Predator?

We’ve chosen ours as adidas celebrates 20 years of its most famous boot.

P. 18—19

P. 20—21

P. 24—25

P. 22—23

MA DE I N GERMANY

NIKE PREMIER SGT

American soccer’s great hope? Jonathan Harding examines the Bayern man’s rise to prominence.

Nick Ames explores Adu’s winding career, which has now taken him to Serbian side Jagodina.

With a growing contingent of Germanborn or based players, has the US discovered a niche?

Goalkeeper glove technology has come a long way. We discuss Howard’s glove of choice with ProDirect.

JU L IAN GR EE N

0 4 — 05

FRE DDY A DU

The beating heart of the New York City amateur soccer scene is at Grand Street, a stone’s throw from Chinatown. We talk to the people behind an intriguing visual identity project at the venue.

P. 80—91

Grand Street

P. 40—45

P. 46—49

P. 50—63

P. 64—71

P. 72—79

American fans are embracing soccer in growing numbers, but will the sport make a long term impression with fans?

Most take for granted that American soccer is a coastal phenomenon, but support is growing in the Midwest.

Ryu Voelkel was in Brazil to capture the finer details of USA vs Portugal, the moment America’s World Cup reached fever pitch.

Will NYCFC take MLS to the next level?

Leander Schaerlaeckens assesses the challenges ahead for MLS’ new team.

Can Beckham shake off the challenges and bring MLS to Miami? Noah Davis analyses his uncertain dream.

F I N A L F R ONTI E R

I NDY E L E V E N

G ALLERY

NEW YORK CIT Y FC

BECKHAM VS M I AM I

R ABO N A

E DITO R ’S LE T T E R

This was a special year for US soccer. Not only did the national team play their part in four drama-filled World Cup games, but the nation embraced the sport in numbers never seen before.

Fans draped in The Stars and Stripes headed to the local sports bar or big screen, creating the feeling that this was some sort of turning point.

So why are we all so intrigued to see if America takes to the sport? Why does it matter? Well the United States is the last major territory yet to be conquered by a game considered the only sport in most countries.

America’s TV viewing figures are the most significant of any country and there’s hope that, one day, Major League Soccer can be more than a retirement home for fading world stars. Indeed, MLS commissioner Don Garber’s ambition is to make the league “one of the world’s biggest” by 2022. If that happens, the casual American sports fan will surely start to take notice.

But there’s little doubt who the face of American soccer is right now. Tim Howard enjoyed a recordbreaking World Cup before it all got a little surreal with #thingstimhowardcouldsave becoming the world’s top trending Twitter topic, with the man from New Jersey shown saving everything from Bambi to Kanye West.

In this third offering of Rabona, Howard discusses his stunning World Cup and shock decision to take a year out from international football, plus there’s the usual blend of iconic photography and insightful journalism. So put your feet up and enjoy our USA Issue.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Da Silva DESIGN & ART DIRECTION Dima Kuzmichev ASSOCIATE EDITOR Seth Libby DESIGN Gerasim Povagin TEXT Nick Ames, Noah Davis, Jeff Greene, Jonathan Harding, Seth Libby, Leander Schaerlaeckens, Will Tidey IMAGERY Sebastian Lucrecio, Fred MacGregor, Ryu Voelkel, Alexander Zyryaev ILLUSTRATION Kate Copeland, Vadim Ilyin

THANK YOU Adidas UK, Ed Barrow, Beckham Miami United, Anthony Bozzi, Marie Da Silva, Frederick’s Foundation, Ben Goldhagen, Grand Street, Ken Griffiths, Mark Haddon, Sam Jupp, Owain Kenny, Adrian Lake, Richard Maciver, Marco Müller, New York City FC, Nike UK, Donata Redeker, Charlie Rose Jenny Simmons, Grant Wahl, Alicia Waite.

Michael Da Silva, Editor of Rabona

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Fred MacGregor

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R EC O M M E N D S

1. PERSOL SUPREMA SUNGLASSES

4. WEEKEND OFFENDER X KENT COMB

Persol have been making sunglasses since 1917 and this is another quality build to underline their rich heritage.

This Steve McQueen-inspired pair features blue tinted lenses and quality hinges. £275 at persol.com

Weekend Offender has combined with comb experts KENT in an exciting collaboration. The result is this foldaway flick comb that sits neatly in the internal pocket of Weekend Offender jackets. £10 at weekendoffender.com

2. LARSSON & JENNINGS SAXON

5. BEATS POWERBEATS 2

The Saxon series is the latest line of watches designed by Anglo-Swedish watch label Larsson & Jennings.

There are three versions in the series, which all feature a 39mm case. From £315 at larssonandjennings.com

Inspired by LeBron James, Beats have redesigned the earbud to transform the workout experience. Lightweight, water-resistent, Bluetooth up to 30 feet, six hours playback. Need another reason? £170 at apple.com

3. MA.STRUM JOURNEYMAN’S BAG

6. NIKE INTERNATIONALIST MID QS

Why settle for a man bag on a long journey when you can have a Journeyman’s Bag? This heavy-duty nylon/polyester bag features a woven water resistant fabric that’s built to last. £349 at mastrum.com/ luggage

The latest incarnation of the Internationalist is a new high-ankle version for Autumn. Nike has retained the stretchy sports tongue but opted to move away from its predecessor’s overly athletic feel. £100 at nike.com

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19 D’Arblay Street, Soho, London, W1F 8ED weekendoffender.com

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